The severest smog so far this year will engulf Beijing and much of northern China from Friday evening until Wednesday night. Photo: AFP
The severest smog so far this year will engulf Beijing and much of northern China from Friday evening until Wednesday night. Photo: AFP

Beijing issues 2016’s first red alert for air pollution after forecasting six days of ‘severe smog’

Municipal government’s warning, effective from Friday night, triggers limits on the use of cars and temporary shutdown or reduced production at factories